Single Speed Help

[LumberJackJibbr]

Thinking of getting into single speed riding, however I am ignorant on decent set-ups (for about $900) for all-around riding (climbing, stumps, etc.).

If any of you are knowledgeable in this area, I'd appreciate any advice/links on some all-around good aluminum/steal to ride.

Thanks in advance.

[onehotchili]

check out MTBR singlespeed forum (http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=46). it is by far the best resource on single speeding mountain biking. those guys can steer you towards a rig in your budget like the Bianchi, Surly, or Kona which all have frames or full setups under a grand.

As for me, I have been SSing exclusively for the last 3 years on a custom Independant Fabrications Single Speed which I spent some $$$ on. I race and ride on this setup everywhere in Tahoe.

i hope that helps.

[LumberJackJibbr]

thanks for the link. i'll check it.

[Greydon Clark]

I'm a bike JONG, but I recently picked up a cheap GT frame (total POS entry level bike) and converted to a 3X1. Wanted to do a true 1X1, but I needed to do it on the cheap and used the derailer as a chain tentioner and decided to keep some shifting ability. Anyway, I'm totally new to biking, but found a pervious thread on the same subject helpful. I'll post something meaningful after I've spent some time on the bike.

[m1e448]

i ride a ss most of the time. I like it a lot. i've got a biachi buss. Look for a bianchi diss or a kona. Surly makes good ones too. If you're not sure about it borrow one. make one out of an old bike, or ride your geared bike in the same speed all day(most ss's are geared 32 to 16 or 18).

[Greydon Clark]

So I've been out on the 3-speed a couple of times and am really digging it. At times it becomes a de facto SS as shifting into the granny is difficult. (I need to adjust the derailleur.) Being a bike JONG I'm not sure if I have the lungs or legs to ride a true SS, but this semi-minimalist rig is pretty dang fun.

Time to buy more bike gear...

[mntlion]

Someone makes a new hub for SS that you can adjust for chain tension without having the horizontal dropouts. The hub body adjusts around the axel I think. Anyone know what this is?

[shirk]

White Industries makes the eccentric hub.

[Viva]

Keep your eyes peeled for a used Bianchi SISS. These were about $800 new and were well speced with things like Avid disk brakes, etc. I saw one on Craigs List recently.

The Surly 1X1 is a very nice steel frame. I rode one for a little while and sold it a few weeks ago. The frame new costs about $400. Surly also make a nice SS hub that can be reversed (i.e., it mounts cogs on both sides so that by flipping the wheel, you can change the gearing depending on conditions).

[wintermittent]

Agree with powwrangler and viva, look at Bianchis for the best singlespeed bargain. They're well-spec'd and funky cool.

Otherwise, Kona and Cannondale also have some nice offerings for around a thousand coconuts.

Don't be afraid to convert a favorite (read: beater) frame to singlespeed, or build up a Surly. Wheels Manufacturing makes nice cog spacers to put a cheap freewheel cog (Novatech is cheap and sturdy) on a standard hub cassette. A little ingenuity goes a long way.

White ENO hub is sexy and solid, but expensive if you have to build wheels. Brake adjustment is problematic, too, because hub rotates about 15mm in the dropouts as you adjust the chain for proper tension.

Surly and others make 'dummy' derailleurs to maintain chain tension, if you don't have horizontal dropouts or an eccentric bottom bracket. EBBs are way cool: The BB shell is oversized and the bottom bracket rotates in the shell, usually anchored by a wedge and set screw. A little nicer than horizontal dropouts and a chain tensioner.

My recommendation: Check out the '05 Gary Fisher Rig. Word on the street is Fisher will be offering a 29er singlespeed, well spec'd, for under 1000 bucks. Eccentric bottom bracket, too.

I *heart* my 29" Surly Karate Monkey, 32/18 and rigid. About an inch of suspension in every direction. It's a blast and my favorite ride in the stable.

Big wheel singlespeeding is awesome. As long as you're taller than a Keebler Elf.